Minister's Welcome
Neighbourhood Renewal is a State Government initiative to narrow the gap between disadvantaged Victorian communities and the rest of the State. Launched in Wendouree West (Ballarat) and in four locations in the Latrobe Valley in 2001, the program has now expanded to 21 areas across Victoria.
Neighbourhood Renewal connects communities with government, businesses, schools, police and service providers. The initiative is revitalising neighbourhoods by: lifting employment and learning opportunities and expanding local economies; enhancing housing and the physical environment; improving personal safety and reducing crime; promoting health and wellbeing; increasing community pride and participation; and improving government responsiveness.
Evaluation of Neighbourhood Renewal shows that our place-based approach is working. Over 5,500 unemployed people have been linked to jobs and 33 new social enterprises have been created. More than 7,000 housing works have been carried out on public housing properties and 30 new community facilities have been developed. Crime is dropping; in some areas it has been cut by over 40%. Most importantly, residents are feeling more connected to their community and in greater control of their lives.
This website is an introduction to Neighbourhood Renewal. It describes the six action areas that are central to Neighbourhood Renewal's place-based approach and explores how each action area is being addressed at the local level, through the project pages. The site explains how we are evaluating the success of Neighbourhood Renewal and provides information on our performance to date. The website also presents, in the form of various publications, the ideas that guide our work.
I welcome you to Neighbourhood Renewal. I hope you enjoy reading about the ways in which it is continuing to create vibrant communities where people want to live, work and play.
